When Lil B titled his last digital label released mixtape I'm Gay, he received several death threats. Although he is heterosexual, he says the title is a message of support to the LGBT community. Referring to the alternative definition of gay, he says he is gay because he is happy. Following the death threats, he added "I'm Happy" in parenthesis to the album's title. I'm Gay received positive reviews with many fans commenting on the album's wide variety of positive messages and noting the unique beats and lyrical styles not common to mainstream hip hop. He raps about many controversial issues including race relations, poverty, humanity, and the justice system. The album also, according to many fans, shows the "true" side of Lil B. It entered the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart at #56 and the Heatseekers Albums chart at #20 for the week of July 16, 2011. It is for sale on iTunes but Lil B also uploaded it to the Internet for free, posting a link to it on Twitter and Facebook saying, "for all my fans who don't have $10 to buy my album, here it is for free."
Lil B typically releases at least one mixtape every month; so far in 2012 he has released 13 mixtapes - 4 in July alone. One of those released in July was the massive 848-song, nearly 5GB collection of Based Freestyles, which is his largest release to date. In 2013, hip-hop listeners voted Lil B as the greatest rapper of all time.
Clouds
Lil B Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I gotta watch my every step, I don t trust you niggers
You say you do this, but who you nigger?
Last time I see you, you would screw you niggers
Now you all on my dick cause I got rap money
Don t think I won t put it up, next to your money
You really got a problem, talking death making niggers bleed,
Like Biggy Small
Man, run upon a bitch and put a
He thought Lil B was a sucker
Until he seen the killers that s behind him man it s nothing
Call him body
Bitch I m fucking driving and I m aiming guns at you
Since you ain t scared of a man how you put my life in your hands
I never play dirty cause them niggers die,
used to hate on me, now I look him in the eyes
Send him a trip in the sky,
I cop the Maserati, riding through the hood
I m seeing everybody
Niggers don t love me, that s life when you famous
I ain t even hurt
Pretend I never heard a nigger saying Lil B faking
Never heard them saying that I was a sucker
Never been a snitch, never been an undercover
Fuck being this, that dope feed mental
Niggers never rock, fuck them niggers it s simple
Easy money get you fucked over with taxes
Uncle Sam will put you down he laughing
Cause you stupid niggers pay to be in jail
I d rather be on earth than ride out no bail
I d rather work hard to be sitting in the sale
Talking about you found guy you burning up in hell
We make mistakes, I remain positive, things catch up
Watch how you move, please slow down
It s enough love and money to go around, I guarantee
Basedgod velli.
The lyrics to Lil B's song "Clouds" speak to the artist's unique perspective on fame and the challenges that come with it. Lil B describes himself as having "the eyes of a lion, a heart of a cat", indicating that despite his fearsome outward appearance, he possesses a gentle and cautious nature. This is reinforced by his declaration that he "gotta watch [his] every step" and doesn't trust those around him.
At the same time, Lil B acknowledges the allure of fame and the material success it can bring. He notes that those who used to spurn him are now trying to get close to him because of his newfound wealth. However, Lil B is also aware of the dangers that come with success, referencing the murders of rappers like The Notorious B.I.G. and cautioning that others may try to harm him for his money.
Overall, the song can be seen as a meditation on the challenges and contradictions of modern hip hop culture, where success is both desirable and perilous, and where trust is hard to come by.
Line by Line Meaning
I got the eyes of a lion, a heart of a cat
I am strong and fearless, but also have a caring and sensitive side.
I gotta watch my every step, I don t trust you niggers
I am cautious of those around me and do not trust easily.
You say you do this, but who you nigger?
I question the authenticity of others' claims and abilities.
Last time I see you, you would screw you niggers
I have been betrayed by those who I thought were once my friends.
Now you all on my dick cause I got rap money
Now that I have money and success, people are attracted to me and seek to benefit from it.
Don t think I won t put it up, next to your money
I am not afraid to compete and compare my success to others, even those who once doubted me.
You really got a problem, talking death making niggers bleed, Like Biggy Small
You are threatening violence and causing harm to others, like the late rapper Biggie Smalls.
niggers wanna stick me for my paper
People are jealous and want to take advantage of me for my financial success.
Man, run upon a bitch and put a
People are willing to commit violence against others for personal gain and superiority.
He thought Lil B was a sucker
Others once believed I was weak or a pushover.
Until he seen the killers that s behind him man it s nothing
Until they saw the people and protection that I have, their threats were meaningless.
Call him body
Referring to someone as 'body' implies that they are expendable or of little worth.
Bitch I m fucking driving and I m aiming guns at you
I am unafraid to use my power and influence to intimidate and threaten others.
Since you ain t scared of a man how you put my life in your hands
If you claim to be unafraid of me, why would you put yourself in a position to threaten my life?
I never play dirty cause them niggers die
I do not resort to dirty tactics, as it often leads to negative consequences.
used to hate on me, now I look him in the eyes
People who once hated me are now forced to confront and acknowledge my success and power.
Send him a trip in the sky
Imagery of sending someone on a one-way trip to heaven or hell, implying revenge or punishment for wrongdoing.
I cop the Maserati, riding through the hood
Sign of success and wealth, cruising through a dangerous or rough neighborhood.
I m seeing everybody
I am aware of and observant of my surroundings and those around me.
Niggers don t love me, that s life when you famous
People do not truly love me as a person, but rather love or hate me for my celebrity status.
I ain t even hurt
I am not affected or bothered by the negative attention I receive.
Pretend I never heard a nigger saying Lil B faking
I choose to ignore and not address those who doubt or criticize my authenticity.
Never heard them saying that I was a sucker
I have never been considered weak or gullible by others.
Never been a snitch, never been an undercover
I have never betrayed or deceived others for personal gain or advantage.
Fuck being this, that dope feed mental
Material possessions and success are not as important as one's mental well-being and health.
Niggers never rock, fuck them niggers it s simple
Those who do not support or appreciate my success are not worth my time or attention.
Easy money get you fucked over with taxes
Quick and easy financial gains often come at the cost of high taxes and negative consequences.
Uncle Sam will put you down he laughing
The government will take back what they are owed, often to the detriment and humor of others.
Cause you stupid niggers pay to be in jail
People who commit crimes or participate in risky behavior are often willingly putting themselves in jail and causing harm to themselves.
I d rather be on earth than ride out no bail
I would rather remain free and alive on earth, than risk being stuck in jail with no chance of release.
I d rather work hard to be sitting in the sale
I would rather work hard and earn success honestly, than cheat or commit crime only to end up in jail.
Talking about you found guy you burning up in hell
Threatening violence and punishment for those who do wrong and cause harm to others.
We make mistakes, I remain positive, things catch up
Acknowledging that we all make mistakes, but remaining positive and confident that good will prevail in the end.
Watch how you move, please slow down
Be mindful and cautious of your actions in order to avoid harm and negative consequences.
It s enough love and money to go around, I guarantee
There is plenty of love and wealth to go around for everyone, if we choose to appreciate and celebrate it rather than fight for it.
Basedgod velli.
Nickname and sign-off indicating Lil B's self-assuredness and confidence in his persona and message.
Contributed by James C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.